Netherlands v Germany

Final

Match Review

Franzisca Hauke held her nerve at the critical time to put Germany’s named on the winner’s roster of the first World League semi-final as they saw off the Netherlands with an incredible finale in Rotterdam. For a long time, the Dutch hosts looked good value for the title as they led by virtue of Kim Lammers goal. But Janne Muller-Wieland’s corner goal inside the last two minutes levelled and sent the game to a shoot-out which Germany won 4-3.

Early on, German goalkeeper Barbara Vogel was in sparking form, saving a first minute Maartje Paumen drag-flick down low with her stick. She also denied a close range Kim Lammers effort.

Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel was set free on the left only for Vogel to smother her snap shot with another fine save. Kitty van Male blazed over another shot following a pitch length pass from the back as the Dutch were on top for the most part.

Joyce Sombroek also had to do well on a couple of occasions with sharp blocks with her feet but her side hit the front at the far end when Eva de Goede’s long pass bounced to Kelly Jonker. She steadied herself on the left baseline and cleverly spotted Lammers storming forward and found the perfect pass for the striker to meet it first time and roll in.

The second half was similarly quite tight and edgy with neither side giving up much space. De Goede had an eventful half, taking a smack to the knee from a Jennifer Plass corner shot before returning to the fray to chip over the bar from a tight angle. Germany were struggling to turn their chances into clean shots as both Lydia Haase and Maike Stockel miscued when well placed.

Van Male did likewise after she was set free by Xan de Waard with nine minutes to go, lifting over the bar while Vogel again saved at the feet of Sabine Mol before a late penalty corner handed Germany their lifeline. Ellen Hoog tripped Jana Teschke on the edge of the circle leading to a corner which was spun into the path of Janne Muller-Wieland and she flicked in a devilish effort into the corner, making it 1-1 with 70 seconds to go, and forcing the game to penalties.

The first four were all converted before Vogel saved twice from Lammers before the eight seconds ran out. Lena Andersch also missed to keep it at 2-2 after three rounds. But Dirkse van der Heuvel’s effort slid just by the post, giving Germany the impetus from which both Marie Mavers and an ice cool Hauke scored to spark wild celebrations.

In the post-game presentations, New Zealand’s Kayla Sharland was named played of the tournament, Lee Sin Hye the best goalkeeper, Maria Verschoor the best young player and Maartje Paumen the top scorer.